Chemical Potential Energy

Discussion

Calorimetry and so on.

Q = mcΔT

Burn a sample of the substance in oxygen, use the heat given off to warm a bit of water and watch the temperature rise.

When comparing fuels, it's often more instructive to speak of their energy density rather than their energy.

Energy Density of Selected Fuels
simple compounds energy density
(MJ/kg)		   fossil fuels energy density
(MJ/kg)
 
carbon (to CO2) 32.8   coal, anthracite 31.4
carbon (to CO) 22.7   coal, bituminous > 23.9 
ethanol 29.7   coal, sub-bituminous 17.4–23.8
hydrogen 142   coal, lignite < 17.43 
methane 55.5   diesel 45.3
methanol 22.7   gasoline, automotive 45.8
nitromethane 11.6   gasoline, aviation 43.1
octane 47.9   jet a 43.3
propane 50.3   jet b 43.5
sulfur 9.16   kerosene 46.3
      oil, crude (petroleum) 41.9
foods energy density
(MJ/kg)		   oil, heating 42.5
     
carbohydrates 17.2   biomass fuels energy density
(MJ/kg)
fats 38.9  
proteins 17.2   alfalfa straw 18.4
      charcoal 29.0
explosives energy density
(MJ/kg)		   coconut husks 9.8
  coconut shells 17.9
ANFO 6.3   coffee husks 16.0
BTTN     cotton hulls 19.4
C4 6.3   cotton stalks 17.4
composition b     dung, air dry 12.0
composition c     groundnut shells 19.7
dynamite 7.5   maize cobs 18.9
gunpowder 3.0   maize stalks 18.2
HMX     peat 14.6
lead azide     rice hulls 15.5
nitrocellulose     rice straw 15.2
nitroglycerine 6.4   sugar cane bagasse 19.0
PETN 5.8   sorghum bagasse 18.9
RDX     soybean stalks 19.4
semtex     wheat straw 18.9
silver azide     wood, green 10.9
silver nitride 0.9   wood, air dry 15.5
sodium azide     wood, oven dry 20.0
TATP        
torpex 7.0      
TNT 4.7      

Respiration (cellular respiration, that is, not pulmonary respiration or breathing as it is better known) is chemically identical to combustion, but it takes place at a much slower rate.

C6H12O6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O + energy

or in English

sugar combined with oxygen turns into carbon dioxide and water and releases energy

The energy content of foods is no longer measured directly much anymore. Instead, the food item in question is analyzed to determine the amount of protein, fat, and carbohydrate present in one serving. These numbers are then multiplied by the respective energy densities. In the US, where kilocalories are used instead of megajoules, the rule is 4-9-4: 4 kcal/g for protein, 9 kcal/g for fat, and 4 kcal/g for carbohydrate.

Adjustments are needed for indigestible fiber and specific energy factors / coefficient of digestibility.

Atwater system. Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.

Fuel-Based Energy Units
fuel unit energy
(MJ)		 source
cubic meter natural gas
(15 ℃, 1 atm)		 37.1-38.7 Energy Information Administration
37.3 Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center
38.3 ConEdison (New York City)
37.9 Niagara Mohawk (New York State)
38.4 PSE&G (New Jersey)
toe
ton of oil equivalent
(1000 kg)		 41,868 International Energy Agency
42,622 Statistics Norway
44,760 Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center
tce
ton of coal equivalent
(1000 kg)		 29,308 International Energy Agency
29,310 Center for Energy Efficiency
29,290 Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center
ton of tnt 4,184 exact value by definition

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